Implications of The America Invents Act: What 'First-to-File' Means for Engineers

The American Invents Act was signed by the president on Sept. 16, 2011. On March 16, 2013, the biggest change brought about by this Act is America’s conversion from a First-To-Invent system to a First-To-File system. Most of the world has maintained a First-To-File system from the outset, while the U.S. has traditionally resisted outside pressure to conform. It is imperative that inventors understand the various ramifications of this change and understand how they can take advantage of some caveats to the First-To-File system.